Guitarist Jake Hardy and bassist Cameron Adler already had project together when they recruited then sixteen-year-old Jenna McDougall to form the first version of Tonight Alive. They later added Whakaio Taahi on lead guitar and Matt Best on drums. They spent their first year playing local shows at youth centres around the Sydney area. In 2009, the band decided to record their debut self-funded EP “All Shapes and Disguises” with producers Greg Stace and Dave Petrovic. It was released in June 2010, with their music video and debut single “Wasting Away” being released all in the same month. “Closer” was featured on season six of the US reality TV show The Hills.
It was in 2010 that a demo made it to the desk of producer Mark Trombino, who contacted the band, and proposed to produce their debut full-length album. The band recorded their first album in Los Angeles at NRG Studios over two months. It would be entitled “What Are You So Scared Of?” released on October 14th 2011, in Australia, Valentines Day 2012 in US and September 28th 2012 in the US. It made it to number 15 in Australian album chart, and number 7 in the US Heatseekers chart.
The first single “Starlight”: was released July 1st 2011, the second single “Let It Land” was released on September 19th 2011. They even featured on “Punk Goes Pop 4” compilation CD covering Mumford & Sons hit single “Little Lion Man”. The band has been on numerous tours since, such as the Fearless Friends Tour alongside blessthefall, The Word Alive, Motionless In White and Chunk! No, Captain Chunk.
The band’s sophomore album “The Other Side” was released on September 6th 2013, through Sony and Fearless Records. The first single “The Ocean” premièred on Radio 1 in the UK on July 11th 2013 to coincide with the announcement of the album. In promotion of this album, they embarked on a tour with All Time Low on their A Love like War: UK Tour and a tour with Taking Back Sunday and The Used on their co-headlining North American tour in March 2014.
They contributed their song “The Edge” for Sony and Marvel’s film The Amazing Spider-Man 2and it was featured on the deluxe edition of the soundtrack in Australia, New Zealand, UK and Ireland.
My first experience of Aussie band Tonight Alive was at The Barfly in 2012 on their debut European headline tour. From the moment they hit the stage their energy and passion was infectious.
With two successful studio albums there is no shortage of material for their live shows, including ‘What Are You So Scared Of?’ (2011) and ‘The Other Side’ (2013). They also often include songs from their 2010 EP ‘All Shapes & Disguises’ such as ‘Wasting Away’, which front-woman Jenna McDougall dedicates to “all the die-hard Tonight Alive fans”. Tonight Alive bring their own rock-edge to pop-punk, write songs from the heart and give 110% for every show, gaining them a loyal fan-base in the UK and worldwide.
What can you expect at Tonight Alive show? Plenty of energy, awesome stage presence, and a commanding performance right from the start. Songs like ‘The Fire’, ‘Breaking & Entering’ and ‘What Are You So Scared Of’ showcase the band’s energy and talent. Their video for ‘The Ocean’ best represents a Tonight Alive show; five friends living their dream and taking everyone along for the ride.
What can I say other than WOW! I've seen greywind live a few times mainly acoustic gigs but last night I finally saw them in their full glory and it was more than I could have wanted from a live show. Steph and paul really know how to put on a show and draw you in. Every song is utterly captivating and Steph's voice penetrates into my core and takes me on a emotionally powerful journey. Both acoustic and full set up shows are amazing and it takes a lot for a band to be able to pull off styles but these guys rock. Paul very clearly goes into a musical bubble when he performs and it's magical. Greywind are taking the music scene by storm and I'm enjoying the ride